Coupler



May 30, 1939.

E. P. KINNEI E r AL COUPLER Filed June 10, 1957 2 Sheets-She gt 1 Hunk r laimuzdffiuzize, fiffag Zefi May 30, 1939. E.-F f.IK|NNE ET AL COUPLER Filed June 10, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COUPLER Edmund P. Kinne and Frank H. Kayler, Alliance, Ohio, assignors to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, 111., a corporation of New Jersey 7 Application June 10, 1937, Serial No. 147,454

of bottom operated coupler shown in J anney Patent No. 1,443,821.

Another object of our invention is to modify the said coupler design and associate therewith novel parts which will permit bottom operation of this type of coupler by rotary means.

A still further object contemplated by our invention is so to associate an operating rod With the said coupler as to produce maximum efiiciency and simplicity of design an'd'at the same time .insure a maximum safety on the part of operatives.

Yet another object of our invention is to design such a rotary bottom operated mechanism having a novel and highly efficient form of anti-creep, thus greatly increasing the positive action of the coupler in operation.

-With these and various other objects in view, our invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts Figure 1 is an end elevation of a railway car embodying the features of our invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan View of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the 40 structure shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of a coupler embodying our invention, the parts being shown in locked position;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to 45 that shown in Figure 4 except that the parts are in lock-set position;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional View similar to that shown in Figures 4 and 5 with the parts in full knuckle throw position;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view corresponding in general to that shown in Figures 4 and 5 and disclosing the relative positions assumed by the rotor and the lifter at a point intermediate the positions shown in Figures 4 and 5 as the anticreep mechanism is released;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary front-view of the coupler shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, illustrating more particularly the lugand trunnion structure at the bottom of the'coupler head; s

Figure 9 is a sectional view through the structure shown in Figure 8; the section being taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line a 99 of Figure 8; 1

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the rotor; Figure 11 is a front elevation of the rotor; Figure 12 is a top plan view of the rotor; and. Figure 13 is a front elevation of the lifter, side elevations of which are clearly shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, it-

maybe noted that the coupler includes the usual coupler head 2 of the form previously described in the above mentioned Janney Patent No. 1,443,821 and having a pivotally mounted knuckle 4 and a guard arm portion'fi (Figure 2), the

knuckle d being secured-to the coupler head 2 by means of the pivot pin 8. In the above mentioned patent both a bottom operating type and a top operating type of this form of coupler are described. The present invention comprehends a modificationof the bottom operating type only.

Referring more particularlyto Figures 4 to 9, it may be observed that the coupler head2 has "the depending lugs 10-40 (Figure 8) joined by the integral trunnion l2, said lug and trunnionstructure being formed immediately to the rear of the bottom opening in the coupler head (Figures 4 to 6). The rotor I 4 (Figures 10, 11 and 12) is of a novel form, having the hook-like projection it at one end for cooperation with the trunnion I2 and having at its opposite end the opening I! (Figure 11') within which may be received the lower end of the lifter 20, the eyes I8 in the opposite sides of the rotor being aligned with the elongated slot 22 in the bottom of the, lifter, the parts being retained in assembly by the pin 24 and the cotter 26. The bridge portion 19 (Figures 11 and 12) integrally joins the side portions Within which are formed the eyes 18. The pin 24 serves as a trunnion means, permitting pivotal action and limited sliding movement between the rotor l4 and the lifter 20 through its cooper- I eration with the elongated slot 22. The upper end of the lifter 20 has the jaw 28 within which may be received the bar 30 formed as an integral part of the lock 32 as described in the aforesaid J anney patent. The rotor 14 has the shoulder 34 which serves as an abutment for the hooked end 36 of the operating rod 38 (Figures 1 and 2) after the said .end has been inserted through the vsire:

1f. 39 (Figure 12) centrally formed in the rotor l4, whereby rotation of the operating rod in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 will cause the rotor I4 to turn also in a counter-clock- 5 wise direction (Figures 4 to 7) about the trunnion 12 by engagement therewith of its hook-like end I6. The relation of the various parts in the locked position is shown in Figure 4 and in lockset position in Figure 5. In the lock-set position of Figure 5 it will be noted that the lower end 40 of the lock is seated upon the shelf 42 integrally, 7 formed on the coupler head and the rotor I4 is in 1 7 22, the relative position, of the rotor with respect mum position of counter-olookm rot tion of to the bottom of the lifter having been sufficiently 15 the rotor M, the operating rod 38 having'been an elevated position. Figure 6 shows the maxi:

rotated to the maximum from its rest position as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

With the parts in lock-set position or full knuckle throw position as shown respectively in Figures 5 and 6, it will be apparent that the weight of one end of the operating rod as well asthe weight of the lifter 20 and rotor l4vare .ecc entrically positioned with respect to the support point which constitutes the trunnion I2,

25. thustending to rotate the parts back to the normallocked position shown in Figure 4.-

p Figures '1 to 3 show the application of this novel form'of coupler and operating rod arrangement as applied to the end of a railway car. 'It will be observed that the coupler head 2 is supported on the longitudinal'axis of the car body 44 and that the angle bracket 46 is secured on the end oi the car body adjacent the outer corner as supporting means for the operating rod 38. The

" saidbracket 46 has the jaw opening 48 within winch may bereceived one end of the substantially horizontal portion of the operating rod 38, securing means for the rod within the jaw being provided in the formv of the rivet 50. It will be observed that the handle 52 of the operating {operating rod handle 52 as viewed in Figure 3 for operation of the rotor and other parts of the coupler, aspreviously described results in a movement which elevates the inner end 36 of the operating rod38 along with the rotor I4 which "turns about the trunnion [2. It may also be observed as shown in Figure 2 that the inner end ofthe operating rod extends outwardly from the car body and is in an offset position with relation to the jaws 48 constituting its point of support at the outer end. It will be apparent, there- 'fore, that'the weight ofthe inner end of the ioperating rod 38, as well as the weight of the rotor l4. and the lifter 20, acts to return the operating rod to its normal position as shown in Figure 3 when theparts are released from the lock-set position or the knuckle throw position as shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively. Moreover, the weight of the inner end of the operat' ing rod is added to the weight of the lifter and x the rotor to retain the parts in their lowermost we have embodied in this improved coupler design is shown by a comparison of Figures 4 and '7. "In Figure 4the parts are shown in locked position with the anti-creep operative. In this M position the "shoulder 56 provides stop means '75 a'gain'st whichthebridge 19 will abut and prevent accidental turning of the rotor such as might otherwise be caused by a jolting action in operation. With the parts at rest as shown in this position the pin'24 is seated against the lower end of the elongated slot 22 and accidental turning movement of the rotor is prevented by the said engagement of the bridge IS on the rotor against the shoulder 56 on the lifter. If, however, the handle 52 of the operating rod 38 is seized and rotated, the parts will be moved to the position shown in Figure '7 wherein the pin 24 is positioned in the opposite end of the slot shifted to permit the bridge I9 to clear the shoulder 56, thus permitting free rotary movement between the parts as the handle of the operating rod is further rotated.

It is tobe understood that we do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown whichare merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of our invention or the scopeof the claims.

We claim: i V

' 1. In a coupler mechanism'the combination of a coupler head a depending lug integrally formed therewith, a lock operable therein, a lifter having a connection to saidlook, a rotor pivotally connectedat one end to said lifter, pivotally supported at its opposite end on said lug and having an eye and a shoulder intermediate said ends, cooperating anti-creep means formed on said lifter and said rotor and operative independently of otherparts, and'an operating rod having a knuckled end received in said eye and engageable with said shoulder, the opposite endlof said operating rod being supported from an associated carbody, said operating rod being free of sup- 1 port between its connection to said car body and its connection to said rotor.

u 2. In a coupler mechanism the combination of acoupler h ead, an integral lug having a trunnion portion, a lock' operable in said head, a lifter connected to saidlock'at one end and at its opposite end pivotally connected to a rotor, said rotor having its other end pivotally connected to said trunnion and having an eye and a shoulder intermediate its ends, means on said rotor cooperating withmeans on said lifter to prevent accidental creeping ofsaid parts, said cooperating means being operative independently of other parts, and an operating rod having a knuckled endreceived ins'aideye andengageable with said;

shoulder foroperation of said coupler, said operating rodhaving'its outerend connected to an associated car body and being free of connection intermediate its ends, whereby the inner end of "said operating rod is eccentrically positioned with respect to its support on said car body. v

3. In -a coupler mechanism the combination "of a coupler head, an integral lug having a trunnion portion, a lock operable in said head, a lifter diate its ends, co-operating anti-creep means on said lifter andsaid rotoroperative independently of other parts, and an operating rod having a knuckled end received in said eye and engageable with said shou'lder'ior operation" of said coupler, said operating rod ha'v'ingits outer'end connected to an associated car body and being free of con-'-' nection intermediate its ends, whereby the inner end of said operating rod is eccentrically positioned with respect to its support on said car body, said eccentric positioning of the inner end of said operating rod acting to retain said rotor in its lowermost or locked position.

4. In a coupler mechanism the combination of a coupler head, a lock operable therein, a lifter connected at the upper end of said lock and having its lower end pivotally and slidably connected to one end of a rotor, said pivotal and slidable connection comprising a pin secured to said rotor receivable in a slot on said lifter, cooperating anti-creep means on said lifter and rotor and operative when said pin is in the bottom of said slot, the opposite end of said rotor having a pivotal connection with the bottom of said coupler head, an eye intermediate the ends of said rotor, and an operating rod having a knuckled end received in said eye, said operating rod rotating about its longitudinal axis for operation of said coupler.

5. In a coupler mechanism the combination of a coupler head having a trunnion integrally formed thereon, a lock operable in said head, a lifter engaging said lock, a rotor having pivotal connections at its respective ends with said trunnion and said lifter, said pivotal connection between said rotor and said lifter comprising a slot on said lifter receiving a pin secured to said rotor, cooperating anti-creep means on said lifter and rotor operative when said pin is in the bottom of said slot, an eye intermediate the ends of said rotor, and an operating rod having a knuckled end received in said eye and its opposite end connected to a car body, said operating rod being free of support intermediate its ends.

6. In a coupler mechanism the combination of a coupler head, an integral lug having a trunnion portion, a lock operable in said head, a litter having its upper end connected to the top of said lock and having its opposite end pivotally and slidably connected to a rotor, cooperating anticreep means on said lifter and rotor effective independently of other parts, said rotor having its other end pivotally connected to said trunnion and having an eye and a shoulder intermediate its ends, and an operating rod having a knuckled end received in said eye and engageable with said shoulder for operation of said coupler.

7. In a coupler mechanism the combination of a coupler head, anintegral lug having a trunnion portion, a lock operable in said head, a lifter connected to the top of said look, a rotor pivotally connected at one end to said trunnion and at its opposite end to the lower end of said lifter, the connection between said rotor and said lifter being also slidable and including a slot on said lifter receiving a pin secured to said rotor, cooperating anti-creep means on said lifter and rotor operative when said pin is in the bottom of said slot, an eye formed intermediate the ends of said rotor, and an operating rod having a knuckled end connected to said eye for operation of said coupler.

8. In a coupler mechanism the combination of a coupler head having a trunnion integrally formed at the bottom thereof, a lock operable in said head, a lifter connected to the top of said lock, a rotor having one end connected to said trunnion and its opposite end pivotally and slidably connected to said lifter, said slidable connection comprising a slot on said lifter receiving a pin secured to said rotor, cooperating anti-creep means on said lifter and said rotor, said anticreep means being efiected independently of other parts when said pin is at the bottom of said slot, and means for operating said rotor.

9. In a coupler mechanism the combination of a coupler head having a trunnion integrally formed thereon, a lock operable in said head, a lifter engaging said look, a rotor having pivotal connections at its respective ends with said trunnion and said lifter, the connection between said rotor and said lifter being also slidable and including an elongated slot in said lifter receiving a pin secured to said rotor, cooperating anticreep means on said lifter and said rotor efiective when said pin is at the bottom of said slot, an eye intermediate the ends of said rotor, and an operating rod having a knuckled end received in said eye and its opposite end connected to a car body.

10. In a coupler mechanism the combination of a coupler head having a trunnion thereon, a lock operable in said head, a lock lifter, a rotor having a pivotal connection at one end of said trunnion and at its opposite end to said lifter, and anti-creep means on said rotor cooperating with means on said lifter, said anti-creep means on said rotor and lifter being operative independently of other parts of said coupler, said rotor being movable about said trunnion for operation of said lifter to said lock.

11. In a coupler mechanism the combination of a coupler head comprising a lock and lock operating means including a lifter, a rotor and means on said lifter cooperating with means on said rotor to provide an anti-creep for said lock, said anti-creep means on said rotor and lifter being operative independently of other parts.

12. In a car coupler a coupler head comprising lock operating means including a lifter and a rotor, said lifter and rotor having a sliding pivotal connection comprising a slot on said lifter receiving a pin secured to said rotor, and cooperating anti-creep means on said lifter and rotor operative when said pin is at the bottom of said slot.

13. A car coupler comprising a look, a lifter connected to the top of said look, a rotor, and operating means for said rotor, said lifter having means cooperating with means on said rotor to provide an anti-creep, whereby said rotor is prevented from accidental rotation while permitted rotation under actuation of said operating means, said cooperating means including an elongated slot on said lifter receiving a pin secured to said rotor, said anti-creep being effective when said pin is at the bottom of said slot.

14. In a car coupler, a look, a lifter, and a rotor, operating means for said rotor, a pivotal and slidable and anti-creep connection between said lifter and said rotor in the form of spaced walls at one end of said rotor, a bridge joining said walls at their outer extremity, a pin connecting said walls at intermediate points, the lower end of said lifter extending between said walls and having an elongated slot receiving said pin, and a shoulder on said lifter end cooperable with said bridge when said pin is at the lower end of said slot and released from engagement therewith when said pin is at the upper end of said slot.

EDMUND P. KINNE. FRANK H. KAYLER. 

